“Gabe.” Ethan finished her sentence.
“And I’m upset that Gabe didn’t buy the Johnston house for us. We both helped Mack repair it, picked out the paint colors. I stupidly made a list of furniture I wanted for the house too. I don’t know if Gabe will ever propose, and it just hurts to think he doesn’t love me.”
There she said it. A lone tear ran down her cheek and she brushed it away. There was no use crying over what wasn’t going to happen.
“Iva Mae, young people mature at different rates. It may take one person a second to decide what they want out of life, but someone else may spend a long time analyzing what’s best for themselves and their future mate. In yours and Gabe’s situation, you’re the former and he’s the latter. That’s just your personalities.”
“So do you think it will never work between us?” Iva Mae wiped the back of her hand across her cheek again.
“Opposites can add a balance to life, and I think you two are well suited for a happy marriage together.”
“So you’re saying I need to give him more time? Or do you think I’d be better suited marrying Mr. Dolecek?”
“Why are you in such a rush to marry?”
“Because I want to be a wife and mother. Teaching school was only supposed to be a short-term employment, not a six-year commitment.”
“You can always work at the hotel again, but I know that’s not your calling.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s not.” Iva Mae shrugged her shoulders.
“That’s fine. Just as I’d never want to be a rancher, or a saddle maker. We each have our own talents.
“Before Gabe asked to talk to you, he wanted to talk to me and your mother.”
Iva Mae sat up straight, wondering why Gabe wanted to talk to Ethan. “About what?”
“He asked for your hand in marriage, and we gave our blessing.” Ethan’s words and smile lifted the pain from her heart.
She pressed her fingers against her mouth. Finally! After waiting six years, he finally talked to Ethan about them marrying.
“Well, what else did he say? Where are we going to live? When’s the wedding?” Iva Mae’s mind popped with questions.
“I don’t know because that’s for the two of you to talk about. Unfortunately, you wouldn’t come down to talk to him,” Ethan calmly pointed out.
No, she thought he’d broken her heart and she didn’t want to face him. And here he was ready to offer her a life together instead.
Chapter 11
Gabe stopped his work to listen. Was it the wind? No, it had a definite rhythm, as if someone was tapping on the shop door window. Marshal Wilerson was probably making his night rounds and wondering why Gabe was working so late tonight.
Don't suppose he should say he couldn't sleep because of his heartache. And why wasn't there a remedy for it like a headache or stomachache? Gabe could see why people turned to drinking, wanting to numb the pain of a love lost.
Stronger pounding echoed through the darkness, so Gabe picked up a kerosene lamp and walked through the rooms to the front door. He lifted the light high to see who was standing on the other side of the window.
Gabe's heart kicked when he realized it was Iva Mae's face and gloved hand showing through the frosty cold glass.
He quickly unlocked the door, opening it just wide enough so she could slip inside without letting too much cold air into the room. As soon as she was clear of the door, Gabe shut and locked it again.
Her tear-stained face was pale and she was shivering from the cold.
“Let's go into the other room. I have the stove lit and you can warm up there.”
Gabe took her elbow with his left hand, since he still held the lamp in his right, and gently escorted her to his workroom.
He set the lamp on his worktable, then pulled two stools close to the stove and motioned for her to sit down.
Iva Mae walked over here from the hotel, so he was going to let her start the conversation. Gabe was still upset she wouldn't see him earlier today, but something had changed her mind. But was it a good or bad thing she wanted to talk now? Was she here to apologize for her behavior, or tell him she decided to marry Dolecek and move to Wilson? It wouldn't surprise Gabe if Dolecek asked for her hand in marriage before leaving on the train yesterday evening.
“I'm sorry I avoided you today, Gabe. I offered a headache as my excuse to stay home today from church, and it wasn't far from the truth. The surprise visit of Mr. Dolecek certainly tensed my neck and shoulders...but hearing that you didn't buy the house...split my heart.” Iva Mae's voice cracked with emotion. Gabe wanted to pull her into his lap and hug away the hurt.
“Iva Mae—” But Gabe stopped when Iva Mae put up her palm.
“I know it was unrealistic, but I thought working together on the house meant it would be our home. Finally, after six years, you were ready for commitment, marriage, starting a family. I was devastated when Mack said the house sold. I fell in love with the house, made a mental list of how I'd furnish our home. I thought of the nights we'd spend together in our bedroom. Our children who would grow up in the house from infants, to ready young adults to start their own homes. Then in an instant, my dreams were shattered, like a chink of ice with the stab of an ice pick. It hurt me, Gabe, because I felt as if you didn't want or love me enough to buy a house for us.”
“I'm sorry I hurt you, Iva Mae.” Gabe reached a hand out; thankful she connected her fingers with his.
“Ethan said you spoke to him and Momma today.” She used her other hand to wipe across the bottom of her nose. “Did you ask them for their blessing because you're afraid Dolecek would first? Or did you ask for their blessing to give you more time to decide if you really wanted to marry me?”
Gabe tugged on her hand to bring her closer, but she resisted.
“I asked because I love you, Iva Mae. I'll be honest. Dolecek's visit threw me for a loop, but my wise sister told me to go meet him, then talk to you as soon as we could be alone.”
“And then I didn't want to talk to you.” Iva Mae added her second hand on top of his.
Gabe hung his head, staring at their joined hands. “I know my past has stalled my future, and I had to work through those feelings of inadequacy first.”
“There's nothing wrong with you, Gabe. You're a good man, and I know you'll be a good husband and father.”
“But I've already disappointed you.” Gabe looked up to gauge her reaction, knowing now how she felt about the house.
“Yes, but I shouldn't have been so upset about the house. I've heard the wedding vows enough times to know there will be bad situations along with the good ones over the lifetime of a marriage. A family could live in many houses over the years. It might be because they want to move to a larger home. Or a fire or tornado has force them to seek shelter elsewhere.”
“Maybe you finally wanted a home of your own?” Gabe knew he’d guessed the problem when she held her breath.
“We moved four times by the time I was ten, every time because there was a death or failure of one of mother's marriages. Life for us became stable after we moved into the Paulson Hotel, but I'd never forget the months before that. We slept in depots, boxcars and any warm train we could sneak onto. Food was scraps found in trashcans. If momma found work, I was in charge of my little sisters.”
“So a nice home is as much of a draw to marriage as a husband?” Gabe raised his eyebrows and his lips to soften his question.
“Now that you put it that way, I guess so. How embarrassing, but I can talk to you about it, because you know what I mean.”
“Stability is everything to a child. No matter if they are two, ten or fourteen years old.”
“Or twenty-three years old. I want to feel safe, loved, and sheltered—literally—with a good roof over my head.”
“I understand that. That's probably why I've stayed with Pa and Darcie way past time to move out on my own. I felt safe, loved, and sheltered.”
“Life has been good for us in Clea
r Creek, hasn't it?” Iva Mae's first true smile since she arrived at the shop brightened her face.
“Yes, it has and I want to continue working with my family, but I want to start a new family with you.” Gabe stood, but kept a hold of Iva Mae's hand. “Are you ready for a new life, with me?”
Iva Mae took a deep breath and stood up straight beside him. “Yes. I'm ready, no matter what we have to live in.”
“Okay.” Gabe bent down on one knee before Iva Mae. His stomach fluttered until Iva Mae nodded she was ready for the proposal.
“Miss Iva Mae Paulson. I love you. I promise to do my best to protect, provide, and shelter you and any children who may be blessed to our union. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Her getting down on one knee in front of him, threw him off. What was she doing?
“Mr. Gabriel Shepard. I love you. I promise to do my best to balance our marriage, helping you however and whenever you need it, wherever we live. I accept your proposal of marriage.”
Gabe remained where he was, grinning at her “acceptance” speech.
“Your mother raised you to be a strong, independent woman, Iva Mae.” Gabe stood, pulling Iva Mae up so he could circle his arms around her waist.
“I accept that sometimes you'll be in charge of the family. Am I right in assuming that?” Gabe lightly kissed Iva Mae's lips twice before waiting for her to answer.
Iva Mae's giggle turning to laughter. “Yes, you assumed right. That's how I was raised.”
“And so that's how it will be. I assume our daughters will learn how to take care of themselves too.”
“Of course.” And that was all she going to say for a while as she enjoyed their kisses to seal their decision.
Gabe finally ended their kissing to sit down on one of the chairs and pull Iva Mae onto his lap.
“So, let's set a date. When do you want to marry me?” Gabe couldn't help grinning, knowing how his secret was going to surprise Iva Mae.
“Well, we need to secure a place to live first. I could ask if we could live in the hotel until then.”
“I checked and there is one room available at the Donovan Boarding House.” Gabe sucked in his cheeks to keep from grinning.
“Gee. I could have married Frank if I wanted to live in a boarding house.” Iva Mae wrinkled up her nose at him.
“How about we marry three weeks from today, February twenty-seventh? The furniture I ordered should be here by then.”
Gabe loved the look of confusion on her pretty face.
“Furniture? Why do we need furniture when we don't have a house?”
“Who said we didn't have a house to live in?” Gabe cocked his head, waiting for her to figure it out.
“Well, Mack. You were there when he said it.”
“And what if Mack doesn't know everything?”
The look on Iva Mae's surprised face was priceless.
“You bought it?!” Iva Mae's squeal matched her little sisters when they were excited.
“No. It’s our wedding gift from a very special person.”
“Mary.” She choked. “She knew how much the house—and the symbol of it—meant to me.”
“And she knew I'd been stalling talking to the bank and might lose the chance to buy our home.” Gabe confessed.
“See. Strong women are important. Just accept you're surrounded by them.”
“And I'm glad for what you, Mary, Darcie, Helen, Kaitlyn, Grandma Kate, and many other women—have done for me in the past—and will continue to do in the future.”
“Now I know you'll be a good husband if you can put up with all of us.”
“Oh, wow. Besides two sisters, I'll have seven sisters-in-law. I'm already outnumbered, just like Ethan.”
“And to think Ethan—by his mother’s decree—only wanted one son when he was set to marry Sarah Wilerson. Now he loves us eight sisters equally, and wouldn't trade us for anything in the world.”
Chapter 12
“Whap!” A letter slapped on the teacher's desk.
Cullen surprised them again while they kissed by the chalkboard in the schoolhouse. It was Thursday afternoon, and Gabe had become a regular after school visitor.
“Remind me to lock the door when I come in after school,” Gabe gave Iva Mae another quick kiss before turning to Cullen.
“What do you want, Cullen? That was a mean slap on the desk.”
“I don't snoop in the United States mail, but, Iva Mae, I want to know why you're still writing—and receiving—letters from that man in Wilson. I thought you and Gabe were courting now. You’ve been in here every day after school kissing each other.”
Gabe had his hand over his heart. “I'm touched you're so loyal to me, Cullen, but it's none of your business.”
“It is if she's going to hurt you, Gabe.” Cullen glared at Iva Mae.
Iva Mae put a gentle smile on her face when she turned to face Cullen. “I wrote to Frank Dolecek to thank him for his visit, and to invite him to the Valentine's party this Saturday evening at the hotel.” Iva explained. “And Gabe knew I was going to write to him. We have no secrets—between us—anyway.”
Iva Mae picked up the letter, opened the envelope, slipped out the single sheet of stationery, and quickly read the letter.
“Oh good! Frank will attend the party.” Iva Mae winked at Gabe, confusing Cullen even more.
“Why would you invite that man back to Clear Creek?”
“He and Maridell seemed to like each other, so I thought it would be a nice surprise for my sister.”
“We plan to announce our wedding date that night too.” Gabe couldn't help adding.
Cullen looked at one and then the other. “What? You're engaged? Why didn't I know that?”
“Because we haven't announced it yet, or talked about it in the post office lobby where you could hear us. You're the first friend to know about it.” Gabe felt good giving Cullen the news.
“What's the date? Where are you going to live?” Cullen acted like a newspaper reporter trying to ferret out the big news of the day.
“You'll have to be at the Valentine’s party Saturday evening to find out.” Gabe loved teasing his usually stern friend.
“And who will you be escorting to the event, Cullen?” Iva Mae added.
Iva Mae turned to Gabe. “Didn't I hear this was a 'couples only' party? So it would be the only way Cullen could be there to hear the news.”
Gabe loved how Cullen's eyes widened and his nose flared. His friend didn't care for social events. If he had to attend, he didn't talk to any females, unless they talked to him first.
“Sorry, Cullen. You'll have to hear the news from someone else after the event or bring a date.”
Cullen’s eyes shifted back and forth between them, probably hoping they’d spill the news, but Gabe just smiled at him. His friend was so serious, and so fun to tease.
“Fine. Your sister needs to be there for the announcement so I’ll escort her to the party. But you tell her I’ll pick her up fifteen minutes before the party is to start.”
Gabe and Iva Mae waited for Cullen to storm from the schoolhouse before bursting out laughing.
“I can’t believe you told Cullen it was a ‘couple’s only’ party, and that he fell for it.” Iva Mae wrapped her arms around Gabe’s waist and gave him a peck on the lips.
“I can’t believe he stormed in here to confront you about writing to Dolecek.”
“He’s a loyal friend to you, Gabe, even if he comes on a little gruff at times.”
“True.” Gabe thought for a moment then continued. “I know we’ve talked about who to have stand as our witnesses for our ceremony, but haven’t asked anyone yet since we hadn’t publicly announced our engagement. Rather than have your sisters stand by you, and Tate and the Reagan brothers stand by me, how about if we keep it simple?”
“What do you have in mind?” Iva Mae seemed open to another idea.
“A sibling and a friend by each of us. Tate and Cullen cou
ld be my witnesses.”
Iva Mae slowly nodded, thinking about it. “I think that’s a good idea. I’d pick Maridell and Mary. Besides being your sister, Mary gave us the push we needed to be together.”
“I assume you and your mother have the reception planned by now.” Gabe swayed back and forth as if they were dancing together, enjoying the giggle and sigh from Iva Mae.
“Of course. Momma was waiting for me when I walked in the hotel door late Sunday night. I thought I’d sneaked out without anyone knowing it, but she knew. And she was waiting for me on the settee, ready to congratulate me or offer her shoulder for my sorrow. We planned the reception in the next hour.”
“Glad I didn’t go inside after I escorted you home. You needed that time with your mother.”
“And why are we dancing while we’re talking? Not that I mind it but—”
“I need to practice for Saturday night’s party. You know I’ve been a ‘wallflower’ at parties before.” Gabe teased.
Iva Mae pushed him into a twirl down the aisle of the desks. Gabe was having so much fun with Iva Mae. Why had he waited years to start their life together?
“Usually women are wallflowers, standing along the wall waiting for men to ask them to dance.”
“And then there was Cullen and me standing on the opposite wall, acting like dummies.”
“Well one man—you—finally got into the swing of life. Now we need to find Cullen a lady friend next.”
“And Mack, and Seth…”
“Good luck with those two. Mack is friends with every woman from age two to ninety-two in the county. Seth will only talk to the mares on his ranch.”
“And thinking of jobs, have you talked to the school board yet to find your replacement?”
“We were talking about jobs? Huh, nice change of subject, Gabe. Actually, I’ve asked to meet with the board after school tomorrow, but I will finish out the school year.”
“Why? You’ll be married.”
“Why not? Yes, I’ll be married, but I’ve taught these children for six years and I will finish this school year with them.”
Gabe's Pledge (Grooms With Honor Book 3) Page 8